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Post by LilyandDaisy on Jan 6, 2022 12:56:50 GMT -8
I just stumbled across a thread from earlier this year with some of us in it, and something that was mentioned (I've highlighted it) which isn't in the "Gerbil Goodies: What the Pet Store Won't Tell You" guide atm, certainly worth adding! I think split setups like that probably don't cause declans as such, much like big tanks don't cause declans, but if your gerbils are having issues and on the edge of a declan, a divided or split setup might just make it easier for them to form separate territories. If you do want that kind of tank setup, you can limit the risks by making each side very accessible - so keep the divider as low as possible and make sure they can just jump over it rather than going through a single small hole or running up a single narrow bendy bridge as the second photo linked shows. It just makes it too easy for one gerbil to trap another on a path. Just a word of caution about the bendy bridges. When they're used upright as a divider there are vertical gaps between the sticks and there are several cases of rodents' limbs becoming trapped in these gaps, leading to injury and even amputation. In fact while typing this comment I got distracted and checked another forum to find a new post where someone's hamster had injured their leg on one of these dividers. I would recommend using something like a solid piece of wood for a divider instead. Btw lilyanddaisy, I don't suppose you still know/have a link to that thread? No, I can't remember where that exact case was or the details of it, but I'll link some threads that talk of similar situations: hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/161768-damaged-leg-dwarf-hamster/hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/106091-wooden-bridge-causing-injuries-with-photo/This photo shows the uneven gaps that can potentially trap limbs:  Even bendy bridges used normally can be a risk, if the sticks are too wonky and the gaps between them big enough to trap a leg. I've bought some online that were so bad I couldn't use them. So I tend to only buy them in person nowadays so I can inspect them first, unless it's from a brand that I know from experience produces good ones, such as Rodipet. This photo shows the difference between a bad bendy bridge, with lots of gaps, and a good one, with minimal gaps:  |
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Thea
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Post by Thea on Jan 6, 2022 14:18:52 GMT -8
Bendy bridges with gaps can be used if gaps are filled safely though, I hope? I've used a large bendy bridge with gaps for 10 months as a tank divider, but all gaps are filled with aquarium silicone sealant (pet safe of course). To be honest it probably would have been easier to just get wood cut to size, but it works really nicely as a divider!
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Post by Markpd on Jan 6, 2022 14:54:55 GMT -8
Yea silicone, or glued moss plugs the gaps, so problem solved. Although some of the gaps in that wonky bendy bridge above would take some filling! lol Do your girls ever chew the sealant? Btw, just noticed they were 1yr old last month! 
LilyandDaisy Thanks for the links and pics, I'll check out the threads tomorrow  . |
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Thea
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Post by Thea on Jan 6, 2022 23:52:18 GMT -8
Ah good. I was just wondering if it still was a risk in case they chewed it (like you say), but I think I've talked about it here before! Yeah they would! It actually looks pretty similar to what my one looked like - some of the holes in there took a lot to fill  And funnily enough they never have chewed the sealant - surprising for my girls as they'll chew anything!! Yes they're 1 now - time flies! |
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Post by Markpd on Jan 14, 2022 14:23:15 GMT -8
Perhaps the soft rubbery feel isn't satisfying?  ***************** Btw, I'm sure I vaguely remember someone, somewhere commenting about (I think) the pinned thread in the Health section talking about sand, and that it was out of date or incorrect. Anyone remember who it was? And what was the issue? Perhaps we discussed it in a random 'sand' thread?? |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 13, 2022 7:04:17 GMT -8
I didn't know about that section. While on the subject of hidden boards, I've been curious for a while what the second FAQ board (underneath the moderator board) is for? I see it has a few threads. I think something that might help to draw attention to the FAQ section would be to move it out of the top section (where it's grouped in with forum announcements and rules, which people don't really read) and perhaps into the main section with all the other boards. This idea about the FAQ got forgotten about  , but yea I agree. I'm going to move it to the 'gerbils' section menu. Any objections or better ideas on that?
And regarding the sand recommendations
Just stumbled across this old post (after lilyanddaisy mentioned robin, re food). There's a pinned topic on here that mentions silica sand is unsafe, so, in turn, quartz sand is unsafe. The again, that topic is from 11 years ago, so  This kinda struck me as odd since, at least in the hamster world, we only recommend quartz-based sand. So, would quartz-based kid's playsand be safe? If not, what's a good alternative? Looks like another FAQ in need of updating. |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 13, 2022 16:36:39 GMT -8
No, it looks good where it is!
That silica sand could be unsafe seems to be conjecture based on the fact that humans can get silicosis after prolonged and intense exposure to fine sand (i.e working on a building site, not playing on the beach). I suppose the concern about it potentially being unsafe is not entirely unfounded given that gerbils may sand bathe daily or multiple times a day, but having it as a pinned topic perhaps makes it seem like an established fact which it isn't.
Sand is a confusing topic though. As far as I can see, every single sand option out there is according to one person the only safe option and according to another person the deadliest option!
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Post by Markpd on Mar 14, 2022 12:10:02 GMT -8
Doh! And despite what the reviewers Simon Shemilt and Jenny said there, it isn't dusty! (unless they had a bad batch).
but having it as a pinned topic perhaps makes it seem like an established fact which it isn't.
I've now added 'debate' to the title to make that point clearer.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 14, 2022 12:30:18 GMT -8
Personally I'm fine with quartz sand as I've never heard of a gerbil getting lung cancer or anything like that. Which, as always, doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't happen, but we can only make judgments based on what we know has happened.
I think I've bought that Zooplus sand in the past but it's probably still languishing in my storage cupboard so I don't know what it's like.
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Post by Markpd on May 6, 2022 2:21:16 GMT -8
Something I've just twigged which crops up from time to time, is that many people aren't aware that some of the old bedding should be kept when it's changed.
I've had another quick look through our FAQs and I didn't see any recommendations on that, so I'd like to setup a quick guide to that.
What do you guys recommend?
I know some people just do 1/2 changes each time, but what (roughly) should be the minimum proportion of old bedding kept?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 7, 2022 8:47:13 GMT -8
Nowadays I don't really do major tank cleans but when I did, I used to keep back about two carrier bags full of old bedding. This was from tanks of around 60-70 gallons. In theory I mixed that in with the new bedding but in practice I usually forgot until the tank was already filled, so I just scattered some of it over the top. That was always fine for me.
Nowadays what I do when I clean a tank out is put the dirty-looking bedding into one bin bag, the clean-looking (and smelling) bedding into another, and all of the second bin bag goes back into the tank, topped up with new. This should be at least half of the bedding.
I board other people's gerbils sometimes and if their own enclosure isn't portable they stay in one of my spare tanks (30 or 40 gallons). I ask them to bring one carrier bag full of their old bedding. I don't usually put all that bedding in but I keep the rest until I'm satisfied the gerbils have settled into the tank safely, and add more if I'm worried.
One of my regular customers prefers her gerbils to have all their bedding changed at each clean. That seems to work fine for them but they are literally the most peaceful pair I have ever come across. They never even argue over food. They're over 3 years old now and hadn't declanned last time I had them which was last month!
I think it depends on the gerbils. With a more fragile clan you need to be more careful, and in particular if they are newly introduced you shouldn't take any risks.
But in terms of a general rule I would one or two carrier bags full, depending on the tank size.
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Post by Markpd on May 9, 2022 12:22:58 GMT -8
Interesting to hear, and wow those 2 3yr old gerbils are good buddies! I think that fits the 'dream team' tag  Still interested to hear other peoples thoughts/experiences. |
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